There's no escaping pesticide residue, claim organic leaders Tuesday, December 13, 2011 by BETTER FARMING STAFFLeaders of Canada’s organic movement say consumers shouldn’t be surprised or alarmed that Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) tests found trace amounts of pesticides in organic apples from Canada, the United States and New Zealand. Records released to CBC News by the CFIA show 23.6 per cent of the 178 organic apples tested in 2009 and 2010 contained pesticide residue.Jacob Pries, in charge of membership and communications for the Organic Council of Ontario, says there is no escaping trace amounts of herbicides, fungicides and pesticides, “because we live in a polluted world. They find pesticides in Arctic ice.”Ted Zettel, president of the Organic Federation of Canada, says, “these things are in the air and in the water so these trace amounts are not something that we would be surprised or alarmed at.” Zettel added that producers and consumers understand “that there has never been or will be any claim to be perfectly pure or free from the agricultural toxins that contaminate the landscape.”While routine chemical testing is not part of the organic certification process, Zettel says random tests are allowed if there “is suspicion of fraud” on the part of the producer.Pries says the main problem facing Canadian organic apple producers is post-harvest contamination in processing centres where conventional apples have been dipped in a fungicide. “It’s real hard to get those fungicides out of the buildings, out of the processing centres,” he says. BF Flour mill planned for Guelph site Prince Edward County farmer wins wheat yield challenge
New CEO for Livestock Research Innovation Corporation Friday, September 13, 2024 Livestock Research Innovation Corporation (LRIC) is promoting from within with the appointment of the organization’s newest Chief Executive Officer. Industry Services Manager Kelly Somerville has been tapped to assume the role as of September 3, replacing retiring CEO Mike McMorris.... Read this article online
Milwaukee Extended Anvil High Torque Impact Wrench Thursday, September 12, 2024 Measuring torque is a common on-farm task it can sometimes be a challenge to accomplish this for multiple and varied pieces of equipment, that where Milwaukee’s M18 FUEL™ 1" D-Handle Ext. Anvil High Torque Impact Wrench w/ ONE-KEY™ can provide value. Cordless tools create convenience,... Read this article online
Ontario and Feds look to strengthen the provincial agri-food sector Monday, September 9, 2024 The governments of Canada and Ontario have announced they will be investing an additional $3.5 million in the Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative (OAFRI) to support the development and adoption of new technologies for farmers, food processors, and agribusinesses that will enhance... Read this article online
The Great Ontario Yield Tour predicts a record-breaking soybean crop Friday, September 6, 2024 The Great Ontario Yield Tour is predicting the 2024 Ontario soybean yield will be 54.12 bu/ac—a NEW RECORD high surpassing the previous record of 53 bu/ac set last year. If the prediction is correct, it will be the best soybean crop ever produced in Ontario!... Read this article online
IPM needs volunteers Thursday, September 5, 2024 The International Plowing Match & Rural Expo 2024 (IPM) could use a helping hand for volunteers. The IPM is being held this year in Lindsay, Kawartha Lakes, Ontario, between October 1 and 5, 2024. While we are aware that the majority of the popular event is being held during... Read this article online